Clippers notch wins over Central Prairie, Ellendale

Strasburg-Zeeland’s Scotti Scherr (12) hit four 3-pointers and scored 12 points against Ellendale. (Photo by Tom Wang). The Strasburg-Zeeland Clippers kept their perfect mark intact with a pair of road victories over the weekend. The Clippers defeated Central Prairie, 71-55, on Friday night, and then downed Ellendale, 69-51, on Saturday.

Strasburg-Zeeland 71Central Prairie 55

Brody, Kyle and Cole Nieuwsma combined for 47 points to lead Strasburg-Zeeland to a 71- 55 victory over Central Prairie in Medina on Jan. 4. The Clippers improved to 7-0 overall, and 4-0 in District 6 with the victory, while the loss dropped Central Prairie to 1-6 on the season, including a 0-2 mark in the district.

Strasburg-Zeeland’s Nic Kramer (3) scored 8 points and dished out a pair of assists against Ellendale. (Photo by Tom Wang). Strasburg-Zeeland held a 14-7 advantage after one period, and the Clippers increased their lead over the next two stops, including a 29-20 margin at the halftime break. Strasburg-Zeeland then exploded for 28 points, while doubling up (28-14) Central Prairie in the third period to take a comfortable, 57-34 cushion into the final stanza.

Strasburg-Zeeland shot 54 percent (30 of 56) from the field and committed just 8 turnovers in the game. The Clippers also held a 34- 22 advantage in rebounds, including a 16-9 margin on the offensive glass. Central Prairie hit on 20 of 46 (43%) field goals in the game.

Three players scored in double figures and Strasburg-Zeeland cruised to a 69-51 road victory over Ellendale on Jan. 5. The Clippers improved to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in the South Central Conference, while Ellendale dropped to 3-6 on the season, including a 1-1 mark in the SCC.

Strasburg-Zeeland jumped out to a 22-10 cushion by the end of the opening period, and increased the lead to 43-24 at the intermission. Brody Nieuwsma scored a dozen points, while Scotti Scherr netted 9 points for the Clippers in the half.

The Clippers sputtered a bit during the third quarter, but they still took a 52-38 advantage into the final period. Cole Nieuwsma scored 9 points to help Strasburg-Zeeland pull away in the fourth quarter.

Both teams shot fairly well from the field, but not so well from the free throw line. Strasburg-Zeeland hit on 30 of 52 (58%) field goals, including 6 of 14 (43%) from behind the arc, but the Clippers misfired on 13 of 16 free throws for a 19 percent showing from the stripe. Ellendale hit 21 of 40 (52%) field goals, but the Cardinals hit only 8 of 21 (38%) free throws in the game.